Image forming device with a UWB communication function for transmitting search signal corresponding to type of data received, and method for providing data thereof, and system for providing data using the UWB communication function

• US 8,446,598 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2006
• Issued: 05/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HP Printing Korea Co., Ltd. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Eum, Ju-Ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Yang, Qian
• Application Number:
  US11/540,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20070109579A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,423 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.13, 358/1.15
• US Class Current: 358/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1293 Printer information exchange with computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00291 with receiver circuitry television receiver circuitry per se H04N5/44
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00315 with a radio transmission apparatus with a cordless telephone H04N1/00305; systems or arrangements for the transmission of a picture signal specially adapted for transmission via radio H04N1/00103; H04N1/00307 takes precedence; radio transmission systems H04B7/00; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0044 Connecting to a plurality of different apparatus; Using a plurality of different connectors connection via a network H04N2201/0039
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0068 Converting from still picture data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

An image forming device having an ultra wide band (UWB) communication function and a method for providing data thereof, and a system for providing data using UWB communication function are disclosed. The image forming device having a UWB communication function include: a communication network interfacing unit for receiving data through a communication network, a data processing unit for analyzing received data type and converting the data into a certain form, a UWB interfacing unit for transmitting a search signal to a plurality of devices connected through a UWB network, and receiving an answer signal from available devices of the plurality of devices, and a controlling unit for controlling the data processing unit to convert the received data into a form reproducible at the devices transmitting the answer signal, and controlling the UWB interfacing unit to transmit the converted data to the available devices.

Claims

1. An image forming device having an ultra wide band (UWB) communication function, the device comprising:

a communication network interfacing unit for receiving data through a communication network;

a data processing unit for determining a type of the data received through the communication network interfacing unit and converting the data into a converted form according to one or more answer signals received from at least one available device among a plurality of devices connected to the image forming device;

a UWB interfacing unit for transmitting a search signal corresponding to the type of data received to the plurality of devices connected through a UWB network, to search for devices connected to the image forming device, and receiving the answer signals from available devices among the plurality of devices; and

a controlling unit for analyzing the answer signals, selecting device from the available devices based on the analysis, controlling the data processing unit to convert the received data into a form reproducible at the selected device, and controlling the UWB interfacing unit to transmit the converted data to the selected device;

wherein the received data comprises at least one of fax data, email and telephone messages; and

wherein the data processing unit converts the received data into at least one of video data and voice data.

2. The image forming device of claim 1, wherein if the search signal is transmitted through the UWB interfacing unit and the answer signal is not received from the plurality of devices, the controlling unit controls the UWB interfacing unit to re-transmit the search signal.

3. The image forming device of claim 1, wherein if the search signal is transmitted through the UWB interfacing unit and a response waiting time is exceeded, the controlling unit concludes communication with the plurality of devices through the UWB interfacing unit.

4. A method for providing data of an image forming device having an ultra wide band (UWB) communication function, the method comprising:

determining a type of data received through a communication network;

transmitting a search signal corresponding to the type of data received to a plurality of devices connected through a UWB network to search for available devices connected with the image forming device and receiving one or more answer signals from the available devices among the plurality of devices;

analyzing the received answer signals and selecting a device from the available devices based on the analysis;

converting the received data into a form reproducible at the selected device; and

transmitting the converted data to the selected device;

wherein the received data comprises at least one of fax data, email and telephone messages; and

wherein the converted data comprises at least one of video data and voice data.

5. The method for providing data of claim 4, further comprising:

re-transmitting the search signal if the answer signal is not received from the plurality of devices after the search signal is transmitted.

6. The method for providing data of claim 4, further comprising:

concluding communication with the plurality of devices if the response waiting time is exceeded after the search signal is transmitted.

7. A system for providing data using an ultra wide band (UWB) communication function, the system comprising:

a plurality of devices connectable through a UWB network; and

an image forming device for determining a type of data received through a communication network, transmitting a search signal corresponding to the type of data received to the plurality of devices to search for available devices connected with the image forming device, receiving one or more answer signals from the plurality of devices, analyzing the answer signals, selecting a device from the plurality of devices based on the analysis, and converting the received data into a form reproducible at the selected device and transmitting the converted data to the selected device;

wherein the received data comprises at least one of fax data, email and telephone messages; and

wherein the converted data comprises at least one of video data and voice data.

8. An image forming device, comprising:

a UWB interfacing unit, wherein the UWB interfacing unit transmits a search signal corresponding to a type of data received to a plurality of devices connected through a UWB network to search for available devices connected with the image forming device, and receives one or more answer signals through a network from at least one available device from among a plurality of devices connected with the image forming device;

a communication network interfacing unit for receiving and transmitting data through a communication network; and

a controlling unit for controlling a data processing unit to convert the received data into a form reproducible at the available devices transmitting an answer signal;

wherein the image forming device converts the received data into a reproducible format; and

wherein controlling the data processing unit to convert the received data by the controlling unit comprises converting the received data into a converted form according to the answer signal received from the available devices;

wherein the received data comprises at least one of fax data, email and telephone messages; and

wherein the data processing unit converts the received data into a format comprising at least one of voice data and image data.

9. The image forming device of claim 8, wherein the search signal is directed to search for a device in communication with the image forming device.

10. The image forming device of claim 9, wherein the device in communication with the image forming device is searched using middleware comprising universal plug-and-play and Jini Home Audio Video interoperability (HAVi).

11. The image forming device of claim 8, wherein the control unit monitors time elapsed after transmission of a search signal and terminates communication after a response waiting time has occurred.

12. The image forming device of claim 8, wherein the UWB interfacing unit transmits the search signal to a plurality of devices connected through a UWB network under control of the controlling unit.

13. The image forming device of claim 12, wherein the controlling unit selects a device from the plurality of devices based on an analysis of the received signals.

14. The image forming device of claim 13, wherein the controlling unit controls the image forming device to convert data into a format that is reproducible at the device having highest priority.

15. The image forming device of claim 8, wherein the controlling unit determines whether an answer signal is received through the UWB interfacing unit.

16. The image forming device of claim 8, wherein the communication network interfacing unit comprises a network interfacing unit and a public switched telephone network (PSTN) interfacing unit.

17. The image forming device of claim 8, wherein the communication network interfacing unit supports interface between the image forming device and the Internet.

18. The image forming device of claim 8, wherein the controlling unit controls signal input and output between the communication network interfacing unit and the UWB interfacing unit.

19. The image forming device of claim 8, further comprising:

a UWB interfacing unit, wherein the UWB interfacing unit transmits a search signal and receives an answer signal through a network;

a controlling unit; and

a data processing unit for analyzing data type and converting data into a reproducible format.

20. The image forming device of claim 19, wherein the controlling unit controls the UWB interfacing unit to transmit the converted data.

21. The image forming device of claim 20, wherein the controlling unit controls the UWB interfacing unit to transmit the converted data to a device transmitting the answer signal.

22. The image forming device of claim 19, wherein the controlling unit controls signal input and output between the data processing unit and the UWB interfacing unit.

23. The image forming device of claim 19, wherein the data is converted into a format reproducible on an external device comprising a fax machine, video monitor, telephone, and printer.

24. The image forming device of claim 8, wherein the controlling unit controls the UWB interfacing unit to transmit data to a device transmitting the answer signal.

25. The image forming device of claim 8, wherein the controlling unit controls the UWB interface unit to retransmit the search signal when no answer signal is received.

26. The image forming device of claim 8, wherein the controlling unit stores a response waiting time in a memory to apply when no answer signal is received.